Locking luggage to train racks/bars

Are you taking an overnight train? Where are you going?

Janet, if you're in a position to watch your luggage, I wouldn't bother locking it. If you're using luggage equipped with a strap, just unsnapping one of the straps, looping it around the rack and re-connecting it to the pack is enough. It's difficult to say whether the lock shown in the link you provided will be suitable, as you didn't specify what type of luggage you're using. That length should be adequate for most luggage though. Happy travels!

If any of my staff came across luggage locked to a luggage rack they would ask for it to be removed or call a security alert.

Janet, just to keep weight/size manageable on such a long trip, you might want to get a retractable cable lock instead(steel cable retracts into small housing with combination lock, weighs only a few ounces, about $10-12) here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-4603D-Retractable-24-Inch/dp/B0009V1WPM I used one on my last trip to Italy, which involved a couple of 8-10 hour days on the train, and I found the trips far more relaxing, not having to keep an eye on my bag. Be sure to get one with an 18-24 inch cable, so you have some room for creativity in finding something to wrap around (some have about 8-inch cables).

Janet, you might pose this question on the THORN TREE Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com as they're more "tuned" to travel in places like China. I don't know if the rail cars in China are arranged the same as those in Europe, so it's difficult to provide much information. Given the number of people that use the trains in China, they may have removed the luggage racks? You may find it helpful to read * www.tour-beijing.com/china_rail_tours/train_travel_tips/ * (cut & paste the link inside the asterisks). Good luck!

I have something similar to this and it works fine. The only time I use it, is when traveling solo and "nature calls." I don't want to be lugging everything with me to the loo. However, my daybag/messenger bag with my valuables does go with me.

Thanks, all. (And I know this is a Europe forum, but I'm going to China. I'll be taking several trains and don't know whether I'll always be able to keep an eye on my luggage while in my seat.)

What you might do is something that would make it more difficult for a thief to walk away with your luggage, that is, to connect two pieces of your luggage by cable lock, etc. Taking away one piece might be easy but 2 pieces connected together would be a real hassle not to be bothered with.

Thanks for your replies, all. I'm only traveling with the one piece of luggage. I guess I should've been clearer on my original question, which is: Is a 21" cable bike lock usually long enough to lock my luggage to something on a train - whether it be the luggage rack or a train bar or something? (Though I guess it would be hard to answer without knowing the configuration of luggage storage on each train, right?)

Maybe it would be good to find a board which specializes in China, or Chinese train travel. The Guru, the Man in Seat 61, doesn't include China on his pages.

Janet, are you talking about the fast overnight trains between major cities? If so, in the 2 berth or 4 berth soft sleepers, you have a locking compartment and won't have to stash your luggage elsewhere. If you are going hard sleeper, the compartments don't lock. It's worth it to get a bottom bunk and lock your luggage to the end of the bed. In fast day trains, there is luggage storage above the seats (all I've ever needed) and storage for larger bags at the end of the trains near the bathrooms. Avoid slow trains at all costs. Really. They are super crowded, hot, dirty, and the bathrooms will give you nightmares. Luggage is the least of your worries. The fast trains are pretty inexpensive, so there's no reason to consider anything else.

The man in Seat 61 has an entire section on China:.......http://www.seat61.com/China.htm........in fact he has information on trains around the world.

Thanks, everyone, for the insightful answers.